Architectural Vigilance Pays Off for Palm Springs Preservationists
04.21.2010
Palm Springs is known as a mecca for mid-century modern arcthiecture. However, it is shocking that so far there are no Palm Springs buildings listed on the national Register of Historic Places.
As a devout preservationist, I appreciate everyone’s efforts to help preserve some of Palm Springs greatest architectural resources.
From the AIA blog:
“Architecture is driving the city’s renaissance,” says Ken Lyon, senior planner for the City of Palm Springs. “Yet a majority of significant properties are still unprotected.”
Photo by Mike Singer
Preservation efforts are in full effect, including a “Modernism Week” held in late February.
“During Modernism Week, preservations handed out fliers to ask residents to lobby their local officials to vote against a proposed new parking plan that would block roadside views of the Frey-designed City Hall, a Class 1 structure that Johns says deserves site protection as well as building protection. The local Desert Sun newspaper ran an editorial in support of the preservationist position, yet the outcome is still to be decided.”
Adds city planner Lyons: “In a time of an economic slump, now is the perfect time to work with building owners to gauge their interest in restoring their buildings and to educate them as to how architecture is the reason why people come here. We need to preserve as much as we can.”
